These must not be missing from the Hungarian Christmas table
There are many dishes on the Hungarian Christmas table that were passed down from previous generations. So, it is not surprising that there are several variations of each dish – as many houses, so many traditions. To attract the abundance, you can find small-grained ingredients on the festive table and on New Year’s Eve, such as lentils, nuts, and poppy seeds. Anyway, pálinka is in the union of most family festive traditions.
Fishsoup (Halászlé)
Although people typically do not associate the country with fish dishes, locals and tourists love this savoury delicacy. Hungarians eat the most fish on the Christmas festive season. At other times of the year, the fish consumption is rather low. there are various ways to prepare this unique Hungarian dish. There are various ways to prepare this unique Hungarian dish, depending on the region. Danube fish soups are prepared differently in each city and are often served with different kinds of pasta. The dish from Szeged is more thick than the one from Baja.
- Read the recipe: Where to find the best fish soup in Budapest? PHOTOS + RECIPE
Photo: facebook.com/hungarikumokgyujtemenye
Christmas bejgli
In Hungary, no Christmas is complete without bejgli, a traditional festive pastry. The ultimate types of bejgli are with poppy seed or walnut, but some families fill it with cocoa, chocolate or chestnut. Those who do it every year diligently, as a must, feel awful when the pastry rips. Theoretically, there is also a diet version, but no one has ever heard of it.
Source: canva.com
Stuffed cabbage (Töltött káposzta)
You will probably find stuffed cabbage with sour cream on the Hungarians’ Chrsitmas day table. The types vary in each region, causing serious arguments in the comment sections of recipe sites. For example, in Szabolcs-Szetmár-Bereg county, the stuffed cabbage pieces are a lot smaller than the regular ones.
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Poppy seed bread pudding (Mákos guba)
This is a real leftovers saver. You can use leftover poppy seeds, dried bread rolls, milk and sugar to create a delicious sweet treat. It can be topped with vanilla pudding to make it.
Mákos guba. Source: YouTube/Nosalty
Christmas zserbó
Gerbeaud cake, or ’zserbó’, as it is called in Hungary, is a Hungarian dessert that is not only famous in its originating country but has since conquered many kitchens and confectioneries around the world. It is a heavenly dessert that can be made in many ways.
- Read the recipe: Zserbó recipe: classic is best
Source: canva.com
The leftovers
You may have cooked or baked too much of the above foods. If you really want to experience the Hungarian way of Christmas, freeze the leftovers – strictly in a container of sour cream. Most Hungarian families do not write what are inside the containers, as they will remember and recognise it anyway (they will not). The surprise is guaranteed!
Source: hellovidek.hu
